'Won't Be Hung Assembly, BJP Not An Ally': Mizoram CM Zoramthanga Exudes Confidence As Polling Begins

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said his party will win a clear majority adding that BJP was not an alliance partner in the state.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga exuded confidence as the northeastern state went to polls on Tuesday morning. The Chief Minister said there will be no hung Assembly as his party, Mizo National Front will sweep more seats than the 21-majority mark. He also said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is not an alliance partner in the state and that MNF supports the ruling National Democratic Alliance only at the Centre. 

"It will not be a hung Assembly. It will be the MNF Government. I have full confidence in that," said the CM while speaking to reporters, adding: "In order to form the Government, 21 seats are needed. We hope that we will be able to get more than that, maybe 25 or more. I believe that we will have a comfortable majority."

"BJP is not an alliance partner. NDA is there in the Centre. Here in the state, we don't have any alliance with BJP or any other party...We are only a partner of the NDA in the Centre, here in the state we support the NDA on an issue based," he added.

Zoramthanga reached the polling station on Tuesday morning to cast his vote but said the machine was not working so deferred his voting schedule to a later time in the day. 

Speaking to the news agency ANI, he hailed his party's government for continuing with developmental works even during the pandemic.

"Even with the COVID in which there was a great problem all over the world, we fought more or less successfully against COVID...Despite that, here in Mizoram, we did a lot of developmental work, he said 

"Therefore, I believe that to continue the works that we have laid down we shall be able to form the Government," he added. 

The polling for the 40-member Mizoram Legislative Assembly began at 7 a.m. on Tuesday with MNF, main opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) and Congress fielding candidates on all the seats while the BJP is contesting in 23 constituencies, and Aam Aadmi Party nominating candidates on four seats. Besides, 27 Independent candidates are also in the fray.